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Bill White: 1939-2017

Former NHL star Bill White, a key defender both in his 17 year pro career and with Team Canada at the 1972 Summit Series, has died in his hometown of Toronto at the age of 77.

White, a star player in the AHL before joining the expansion Los Angeles Kings in 1967, spent 17 pro seasons between Los Angeles and Chicago, with his formative years spent on the Black Hawks blueline with Pat Stapleton, forming one of the top pairs in the league. White was a six-time All-Star throughout his career, before retiring in 1976 due to a neck injury, following a long string of missed time due to previous injuries in seasons past.

White was named to the Summit Series roster while a member of the Hawks, playing in seven games against the Soviet Union, collecting an assist, as well as the 3-3 tying goal in the legendary 6-5 victory in Game 8 to take the series in Moscow. White and Stapleton were again paired in the series, playing a key shutdown role against a potent Soviet offense, and White was instrumental in holding back the Soviet onslaught in the 34 seconds between Paul Henderson’s historic go-ahead goal and the final buzzer sounding on Game 8.

White only held the IHLC twice in his career, both during the Summit Series, due to ineligibility rules for NHL players in international competition at the time. Our condolences go out to the White family, as well as the extended hockey community, on the loss of yet another member of the historic Summit Series team.

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International Hockey Lineal Championship is a fan site, and is not affiliated with the IIHF, IOC, NHL, KHL or any IIHF member federations. Lineal world champion concept idea inspired by the UFWC. Photo credits to IIHF, HHOF and IOC. Background photo credit Blake Gumprecht.